Cotton-press.



v No. 650,I33. Patented May 22. |900.

R. R.`PACE.

lC'I'TN PRESS.

(Application tiled Aug. 11, 1899.) {No' Model.) '2 Shets--Sheet I.

Patented May 2 2, |900.

n. n. PAGE.

COTTON PRESS.

(Application led Aug. 11, 1899.)

MMIII i w NN Miren *Y Satellites-A PATENT Ormea.

RICHARD R. PACE, OF LISBON, LOUISANA.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters PatentNo. 650,133, dated May 22, 1900. Application filed `August 11, 1899. Serial No. 726,894. (No model.)`

.To @ZZ whom, t may concern:

Be it known that I, RICHARD R. PACE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lisbon, in the parish of Claiborne and State of Louisiana, have invented a new and useful Cotton-Compress, of which the following is a specification. p

This invention relates to compresses for making cylindrical or round bales of cotton; and it has for its objectto provide a new and useful and eiiicient machine of this character having simple and positively-operating means for formingaunii'orm.cylindrical bale of any required density.

In carrying out the present invention a corerod is employed, which is primarily located intermediately of a series of compressionrolls and having antomatically-operating devices of a special character in connection therewith for maintaining a regularity in their pressure and also for similarly adjusting a part of the driving devices proportionately to the expansive movement of the several rolls, and thereby always hold the said rolls at an equal distance from each other and from the center of the bale, aswell as Vcontinually, rotate the said rolls at a regular speed and provide for evenly distributing pressure to the bale at surrounding points to produce a bale of 'the properdegree of density with a minimum amount ofpressure. Other objects and advantages will be disclosed in the subjoined description; and the invention consists in the novel construction,-

combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

The fundamental features of the invention are susceptible to a'wide range of modifications; but the preferred embodiment of the improvements is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a perspective view of a cottoncompress embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same. Fig. 3 isa transverse vertical section. Fig. 4 is an end elevation of part 'of the improved machine and looking toward the end opposite that shown by Fig..1. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the core-rod and attachments therefor.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

The numeral l designates an upright pressframe having a suitable base 2 and essentially 5 5 comprising a pair of oppositely-arranged parallel standards 3, which are spaced apart or f have slots 4 through a portion of their length.

The standards 3 are connected by a horizontally-disposed cap 5, having slots 6 therein 6o and a post 7 rising therefrom,in which a lever Sis fulcrumed. The frame is furtherprovided at one side with a pillow-standard 9, which rises from the base 2, which will be more fully hereinafter referred to in connection with the parts associated therewith.

Between the standards 3 a pair of horizontal vertically-alined superposed compressionrolls 10 and l1 are disposed, the roll 10 being movable toward 'anda'way from the roll 11 to 7o provide for the formation between the same of a cylindrical bale of cotton which increases or growsl in size as the baling operation continues. In the present instance .the lower compression-roll 1l is supported to rotate in 75 a fixed plane, and the opposite spindle or shaft extremities 12 and 13 of this roll are journaled in stationary boxes 14, fitted in the slots 4 and resting against the lower terminal walls of the latter. The spindle or shaft ex- 8o tremities 15 and 16 of the roll 10 are journaled in slidable bearing-boxes 17, also fitted in the slots 4, and whereby the said upper compression-roll lOwhile being permitted to have a free rotation can also be easily moved in a direction' toward or away from the lower compression-roll ll. It is also necessary that the upward movement of the movable compression-roll 10 in a direction away from the fixed rotating roll 11 be resisted under pressure to 9o provide for giving a proper density to the bale being formed, and while several expedients may be utilized to accomplish this result the said movable roll 10 is preferably weighted. To provide forlproperly weighting the said upper compression-roll, the shaft eX- tremities 15 and 16 have `thereon grooved wheels or analogous devices 18, over each of which is applied a weight rope or cable 19, as

clearly shown by Fig. 4, which is made fast Ioo to one of the standards 3 at a point below the plane of lowest depression of the said movable scompress roll and also under a direction sheave or pulley 20, also attached on the opposite adjacent standard 3 at a higher elevation, and then over an upper pin 21, from which it depends to a suitable degree and has on the free end a weight 22, which will be proportionate to the pressure required. At intervals it will also be necessary to elevate the compression-roll 10 a greater distance than the rise thereof caused by the increase in size or growth of the bale in order to liberate the latter when completed and provide vfor removal from -the press.V To acconiplivshmthis operation, the terminals of' a lifting -ropeor cable 23 are each attached to an eye 24, secured in the j ournal-box 17, the said rope Ior cable being movable through the slots 6 iny the horizontal'cap 5 and loosely attached to j the inner end 'of' the lever 8. By exertinga downward'pressu-re on the outer end of said ablepoWer-generating medium'.l vBy this means driving power is applied to the entire pressi' or the coacting bale-forming devices thereof through the medium of transmitting mechanism, which will be hereinafter more particularly referred to. VCooperating with the upper and lowercompression-rolls 10 and llisa' pair of oppositely-located side-pressure rolls-27 and 28disposed on reverse sides of y out'er extremities united 'b'ya tie-rod 30, with f theends projecting beyond the outer edges of thefsaid shoes, the latter having free movemen-tin and held inoperative relation by outstandingse'micirculargui'de-yokes 31, which are secured to the opposite standards 3 at the frent'and'rear of the frame. l The shoes 29 are not connected linany Way to the said yokes,

land-the klatterprevent the side-pressure rolls 27.and 28 from having endwise movement, though the' latter are free to swingen twardly from-and inwardly towardithe rolls 10 and 11..

i tended k'ends'oi' `the tie-rods 30-weight ropes or cables132 a're placed and are connected at one end'i-n `each instance to the lower vportionof j the adjacent standard, while the free end has a weight 33`secured thereto. The rolls 27 and 28 are smaller than the rolls 10 and ll, and to equalize the pressure at all points on the bale being formed between the said rolls two weights are applied to and exert their iniiuence on'each of the rolls 27and 30, which are proportioned to compensate for the dierence in the dimensionof the rolls and without impairing the necessary sensitive action of the said side-pressure rolls, which must be had to form a truly-cylindrical bale of a compact equally-dense character. l v

The use of the semicircular guide-yokes with-'the segmental shoes 29 bearing thereon `permits each of the side-pressu re rolls to moveoutwardly in a regular curved line relatively to the center of the bale being formed in a horizontal direction and` proportionate'ly'to the increase in size of the bale, and thereby 'always maintain a similar position relatively to the bale being formed and the movable compression-roll 10. By thislmeansthe pressure of the side rolls is appliedtofdiametrically-opposite points of the bale,being formed at substantially-invariable locations, and thereby assist in producing a regularlyformed cylindrical bale.

The shoes 29 by providing a bearing for the journal devices of the side-pressure rolls 27 and 28 cause the said rollsto have-a more gradvualfmovement in conforming tothe enlargement of thebale, and which could not be acquired if the journals of thel said rollsfhad loose bearing on the'said yoke's. The *tierods 30 also materially assist in causingv a TOO regular outward movement of the rolls -27 and 28 by causing the shoes to act in unison,an'd the action of the said rolls in their outward movement would be clearly more 'Sensitive or quickly responsive to the gradual enlargement ofthe bale byreason ofthe shoes'moving loosely over the yokes, and by applying -the ropes or cables 32, having-the weights 33,

to the shoes and removing direct application from thejourna'ls of the rolls 27 and. 28 4adirect drag on the rolls is prevented andthe weight influence desired acting on the roll-s, as stated,is of considerably more benefit.

It is necessary that the rolls 10, 27,' and 28 have a plane of rotation inwardly toward the bale. andv that the roll 11 also have a similar movement for a like purpose and to attain a proper feed of the cotton'bet'ween the rolls. To accomplish this, a particular arrangement of operating `devices is necessary, and inthe present instance a sprocket-wheel34 is Afast on the shaft or spindle extremity 13 of the roll 11, and on the shaft extremities of the rolls 10, 27, and 2S other similar sprocketwheels 35, 36, and 37 arerespectivelysecured. The said. sprocket Wheels are normally spaced apart a distance equal to the intervals between the shaft extremities of vthe said rolls l0, 27,'and 28 relatively considered to the fixed shaft extremity 13, and when the saidrolls are inward toward eachother and the roll 11 their full limit, to thereby IIO IZO

properly rotate the rolls in the direction stated and also leave a clear or open space at the end of the frame adjacent said sprocketwheels for the manipulation of otherl mechanism. The sprocket-wheels 36 and 37 are fast on the shaft or spindle extremities 38 and 39 of the compression -rolls 27 and 28, which are projected, at one end of each ofthe latter, through the shoes 29 a sufficient distance to arrange said sprockets 36 and 37 in the same plane as the sprocket-wheels 34 and 35. On the base 2, adjacent the location of the sprocket-wheels 34, 35, V36, Vand 37, a supplemental frame 40 is located, and comprises a guide 41, disposed at an angle of inclination toward the shaft extremity 13, and so held by legs 42. This guide has aslot 43 extending entirely therethrough from front to rear, and with which opposite guide-slots 44 communicate and are located in the edge portions of the said guide. Within the slot 43, at a point above the upper limit of the slots 44, a guide-roller 45 is journaled to rotate in a fixed position, and slidingly mounted in the guide-slots 44 are boxes 46, in which is journaled an idler 47. A chain belt 48 surrounds the lower portion of the sprocket 34 on the shaft extremity 13 and then passes over a portion of each of the sprocket-wheels 37, 25, and 36 and down over and under the idler 47 and up over the roller 45. By this means the encircling dimension of the chain belt is automatically adjustable without causing a material slack or a detraction from a positive operation of the rolls, and consequently the movable rolls are permitted to work outwardly and upwardly and still have their desired speed of rotation preserved. As the movable rolls work farther apart during the growth of the bale the distance between the several sprocket-wheels necessarily increases and a tension is exerted ou the belt 48 which is sufficient to automatically move the boxes 46 upwardly in the slots 44, and

thereby draw the idler 47 closer to the roll 45 and gradually pay out an amount of the belt 48 proportionate to the separation of the movable rolls and the sprocket-wheels connected thereto. After the removal of a completed bale the parts are caused to assume the normal condition shown by Fig. 1 and ready for a subsequent similar operation. This arrangement of the belt 48 also maintains a regularityin the pressure of theA rolls' 10, 27, and 28, and if a faster or slower speed is desired the several sprocket-wheels may be v increased or diminished in dimension, which is an obvious change and well understood by those skilled in the art.

A core-rod 49, which is angular in cross- Section, is employed in the present machine to` receive the bale. This core-rod is intended to remain in the bale when the latter is coinpleted and must therefore be removable at the t time the completed bale is withdrawn from the machine, and during the operation of baling said rod must also rotate and automatically adj ust itself relatively to the growth of the bale. To accommodate these various requirements in connection with the core-rod, boxes 50 are movably mounted between the journal bearings or boxes 14 and 17, respectively, of the rolls 1l and 10, and, like the said journal bearings or boxes 17, the boxes 50 freely move in the slots 4 between the opposite pairs of standards 3. Removably mounted in the boxes 50 are core-rod stems 51, having their inner ends extended inwardly a short distance between the rolls 10 and l1 and formed VVwith sockets 52 to detachably and rotatably receive the opposite reduced ends 53 of the said core-rod. The said stems 5l act in the capacity of centers and firmly hold the core-rod 49 in proper position between the rolls lO and 11 and alsobetween the side-pressure rolls 27 and 28. The outer extremities of the stems 5l have circumferential locking-grooves 54 formed therein, and a ring or other analogous device 55 is movably attached to the outer terminal of each of said stems exterior of the groofe 54 therein. The outer ends of the boxes 50 have dovetailed seat grooves or slots 56 extending therethrough and formed by upper and lower guides 57. The inner reVersely-beveled edges of the said guides are adapted to slidinglyre-l ceive locking-plates 58, which have their upper edges correspondingly beveled and are freely movable into and withdrawable from the guides at the front and rear, the grooves or slots fully opening out through theboxes 50 at the front and rear sides to permit this operation of the locking plates.' The plates 58 are of such dimension as to each occupy about one-half of the grooves or slots 56, and their inner edges at the center are slightly recessed and t into the circumferential grooves 54 of the stems 51 and prevent the latter from being pushed outwardly. `The plates 58 may be applied and removed by any suitable means, and after they have been drawn away from the grooves 54 of the stems 51 the latter are in condition for removal or application, as the case may be and the requirements demand. For removing the stems 51 a lever 59 is used and located ladjacent each end of the machine or applied when such operation of removal is necessary. Each of the levers 59 is f ulcrumed on a projection 60, xed to one of the standards 3, and on the lever is a movable hook or analogous device 6l, which is inserted in the ring 55, and by exerting a pull on the 1ever the stem 5l can be easily drawn through its box 50, and the completed bale after both stems have thus been withdrawn can be easily removed from the machine with the corerod therein.

After the core-rod 49 has been positioned between the rolls, as shown by Fig. 3, and the parts otherwise arranged, as shown by Fig; 1, the machine is ready to have the cotton fed thereto and form the bale. It is intelndedthat this machine operate with any IOC IIO

improved or. suitable feeder :62, as.. shownb Fig; 2in part, and be-a1? portion of a-con denser for formingand-feeding the -cotton by? a 'belt `For apron 63 inlbat form, as at 64.-" The hat is :startedover the--core-rodA 49 and is gradually wound thereon-through themediumFof-the operation of the roll11,withtheI assistanceof-the rolls `10, 27, and28; As the bale fincreasesor grows, as shown by Fig. .2,4 the'froll- -.l0-is gradually elevated andthe rolls 27 "and` 28fmove outward in a lateral direcf tion, owin-g. to the -v interposed bulk. The weightiof `the rolls 10, 27,-'and- 28 themselves,- in addition to the weight attachments, as here-V tot'ohre-ldescribed, vacting against'the 'fixed rov tating roll l1, providesfor the formation offa:

cylindrical-fbale with-a regular density `from .the interior outwardly; After-the bal-e has-4 reached 'a1-predetermined Vsize in accordance withftheadjustmentor capacity of thecompressfthefeed ofthe bat istemporarily stopped-,-

the? terminating -endAv beingsubsequently worked into theexteri'or surfaceof thebale'as close: ass-possible. Binding devices of-any pre ferried orselec'ted natu re are subsequently apw-y plied -"to y the completed bale, the removalt lofthe bale being carried on in the -manner and f through the'use of mechanism heretofore'se-t*-- forthf. When-the bale is removed kfrom the machine, the roll 10 isforcibly lifted thro-ughAL thelevenSland rope or cable V23 andthe space-above `the --rol-lV 11 otherwise increased in dimension to the required extentbyjshiiti` ing1the:rol-1s27fand i 28, if. found necessary.

Afterfthestems 5l-are disconnected fromfthe opposite ends of the corerod-49 .the opposite endlportions of the laminals of the bale fall ards3and which :is in excess ofv the' length-of! thesaid rod In-tagging or otherwiseindi catingthe weight-'of the bale as formedan allowance will :be made for the weight oftheinclosedcore-rod, and bythis means the form*v ofthe bale can be preservedwith uniformity,

and in some uses of the baled cottonfit-migh-tbe'desirabley to -employ the inclosed corerod as aspindle for unwinding purposes.'-

Under ordinary circumstances the inner op.4

posing` edgesI or-faces of the standards' 3 will aord fsucient bearing for properly building` ton-'ifrom working into the bearings; `bi1-tratt timesiitniay be required tov use interposed-i devicesy which are commonly known in-theil art, andthosey best adapted for the purposewill be selected.

Oney of the advantages for the herein-de` scribed ,machine is that the same provides simplekand -eiiicient means for forming anniform.; cylindrical. or round bale of cottonata minimum expenditure-of power, and thereby `automatie adjustment'otitheidrivinggmeeh a'nism without varyngfthefspeed of the rolls materiall'y assists iii-producing a bale of equal density throughout. p s The boxes 46 have sufticient'frictional bear:

ling within the slots 44 `.to prevent l'too-looseplay or movement-and 'quickly respond tothey fp ,ull-exertedthereon by the roller .45 andy due 'rollerj43 directly in line with theaXis-ofthe jlatter, but at an angle thereto and tothe inf v'clined face of the f guide 4l. 'will be understood that the sprocket-wheels'- "are meant.,v and*u it will be Yseenv` that the 'andfequally packed andfcompressedgaiidth i "sprocketfwh eelsE 35,:36f,-and 37 will have a very `"slow'andgradual feedin-view -of the fac-t'that 'the upward and '-outwa'rd movement of the: rol'lslto which' said sprocket#wheelsare` con-l lnectedare weighty and must 'necessarily overcome-the resistanceoered'by specific grav;- ityg- Furthermore, theside rolls-'areweighted fin addition, asexplained, and 'thefautomatic movfement ofi-all' of the upper rolls isapproxi@ mately equal in proportion to thesize-V ofthe :bale-formed in the pocket between tl'ezsame` fand `the'-lower roll@ having 'a-iixedfrotationr Therefore the lresisting tension of- :thel chain- !belt 48-will be added tothe `weight-pressure the `rolls 10, 28, and 29,' and thesaidchain ICO 4beltwill beheld firmlyin engagement-'with the said sprocket-,wheels'35, 36,- and 37. This Y construction and arrangement is-materially advantageous in ,viewfofl V'compresses having themovable compressing-rolls belowthe fixed 'rotatable roll and held in Aradial relation to f .fthe latter-by-a `'weight-controlled belt', forthe reason that -the weight controlling thel belt vnot` only has tov overcome the downward tendency lof the'said movable rolls'below the -rollha'v- IIO ingaxed plane ofv rotation and-fowingto A lgravity,but--also must overcomefthe tendency, 'of the easy -movement'of the saidlower rolls Y bel'owthe plane of a fixed roll'has an uncerup thezendsof the baleand prevent the cottain and -variable operation,land cumbersome VI2O Yand 'heavy mechanismwnust'V be employed to.

ym ake them practicable.

Vto without departing from the spirit 'orsacri `fieing anyA of the advantages of the invention. Having thus described the invention, whatisclaimed as Vnew is'- Y 1. In a roller-compress, thecombination-of a ipair -of .vertical'ly-ali-ned coacting compression-rolls, one of which has Axedbearin gsand jtlieotherlimited toverticalmovement above the xed roll, side-pressure rollsl guided to n Changes in the form, proportions,l size,"andv minor details of construction maybe resorted move in arc-shaped paths relative to the compression-rolls, independent pressure devices associated individually with the movable rolls, a driving element on the fixed compression-roll, other gear elements on the movable rolls, aninclined guide, an idler mounted frictionally in the said guide, a roller in the upper part of the guide, and a compensating endless gear connection fitted to the driving element, the gear elements, the idler and roller in the upper part of the guide to exert a pressure in a downward direction on all of the automatically-movable rolls, the said guide being inclined relatively to the compensating endless gear connection.

2. In a cotton-compress, the combination of two vertically-disposed rolls, the lower one of which has a xed rotation and the upper one automatically movable in a straight line, sidepressure rolls automatically movable in arcs of circles outward from and inward toward a central bale-forming pocket between all'of the rolls, shoes in which the shafts of the sidepressure rolls are rotatably mounted, guideyokes against which the said shoes loosely bear, weights connected to a portion of the shoes, and driving mechanism for the rolls.

3. In a cotton-compress, the combination of a series of rolls assembled around a central bale-forming pocket and all rotatable, the upper rolls being automatically movable relatively to the lower roll which has a fixed rotation, boxes between a portion of the bearings of the rolls and also automatically movable in vertical planes, individually movable and revoluble stems slidably and removably mounted in the said boxes and projected inwardly into the said pocket beyond the outer terminals of the rolls, and a core-rod of less length than the bale-forming rolls and having detachable interlocking engagement with the inner opposing ends of the said stems, the opposite terminals of the said core-rod adapted to be covered by the end portion of the completed bale.

4. In a cotton-compress, the combinaton'of a series of rolls, all of which are rotatable and a part automatically movable in a vertical plane, boxes adj ustably located between the bearings of a part of said rolls and also vertically movable, the outer ends of said boxes having dovetailed grooves or slots extending therethrough in longitudinal direction, disconnected independent stems removably mounted in the said boxes, in alined relation one to the other, a pair of locking-plates for each of t-he boxes adapted to have their inner opposing edges brought to bear against and hold the stems from outward movement, and a core-rod detachably held by and between the inner terminals of the stems.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as myown I have hereto aixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

' RICHARD R. PACE.

Witnesses:

M. NALLE, C. G. YOUNG. 

